A study by the Brazilian Forum of Public Security has found that one in five women who fell victim to femicide in São Paulo had active emergency protection measures at the time of their death. Out of 83 reported femicides in the city between September 2023 and March 2025, 18 women were under protection, indicating a significant gap between legal safeguards and actual safety. This troubling statistic underscores the limitations of protective measures in preventing violence against women.

Nationally, the report highlights a grim reality, with 1,127 femicides recorded across 16 states in Brazil in 2024. Among these cases, 148 women—approximately 13.1%—had protective measures in effect when they were killed. This data paints a stark picture of the challenges women face in seeking protection from violent partners, indicating that existing measures are insufficient to safeguard victims.

In response to the findings, the São Paulo State Public Security Secretariat stated their commitment to leveraging technology for safety, including electronic monitoring of aggressors. Yet, despite these initiatives, the persistence of femicide raises pressing questions about the effectiveness of current protective strategies and the urgent need for comprehensive reforms aimed at preventing domestic violence and femicide in Brazil.